Dunne hails £20m ship parts deal

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is to spend £20 million on parts for the UK's new offshore patrol vessels (OPVs).

Defence chiefs announced in November that they would purchase the three ships which will be built, subject to approval, by BAE Systems.

Construction is scheduled to begin later this year at the Clyde shipyards in Scotland.

On a visit today, Defence Minister Philip Dunne announced the signing of a contract to buy parts for the vessels, which will be used in anti-piracy and anti-smuggling operations in the waters around the UK and abroad.

The contract will allow BAE Systems to begin work on parts such as the engines and gearboxes, which require a longer time to make and therefore have to be ordered in advance of the main shipbuilding programme, the MoD said.

Mr Dunne said: "This £20 million is a significant milestone, critical to the successful delivery of these three vessels for the Royal Navy.

"The OPVs will not only provide an additional capability for the UK but also at its peak, the OPV programme will safeguard more than 800 vital skilled roles in the shipbuilding industry."

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